Chapter 28
Chapter Outline
Concerning wordly wealth. (1–11)
Wisdom is of inestimable value. (12–19)
Wisdom is the gift of God. (20–28)Verses 1–11
Job maintained that the dispensations of Providence were regulated by the highest wisdom. To
confirm this, he showed of what a great deal of knowledge and wealth men may make themselves
masters. The caverns of the earth may be discovered, but not the counsels of Heaven. Go to the
miners, thou sluggard in religion, consider their ways, and be wise. Let their courage and diligence
in seeking the wealth that perishes, shame us out of slothfulness and faint-heartedness in labouring
for the true riches. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! How much easier, and safer!
Yet gold is sought for, but grace neglected. Will the hopes of precious things out of the earth, so
men call them, though really they are paltry and perishing, be such a spur to industry, and shall not
the certain prospect of truly precious things in heaven be much more so?
Verses 12–19
Job here speaks of wisdom and understanding, the knowing and enjoying of God and ourselves.
Its worth is infinitely more than all the riches in this world. It is a gift of the Holy Ghost which
cannot be bought with money. Let that which is most precious in God's account, be so in ours. Job
asks after it as one that truly desired to find it, and despaired of finding it any where but in God;
any way but by Divine revelation. (Job 28:20-28)
Verses 20–28
There is a two-fold wisdom; one hid in God, which is secret, and belongs not to us; the other
made known by him, and revealed to man. One day's events, and one man's affairs, have such
reference to, and so hang one upon another, that He only, to whom all is open, and who sees the
whole at one view, can rightly judge of every part. But the knowledge of God's revealed will is
within our reach, and will do us good. Let man look upon this as his wisdom, To fear the Lord, and
to depart from evil. Let him learn that, and he is learned enough. Where is this wisdom to be found?
The treasures of it are hid in Christ, revealed by the word, received by faith, through the Holy
Ghost. It will not feed pride or vanity, or amuse our vain curiosity. It teaches and encourages sinners
to fear the Lord, and to depart from evil, in the exercise of repentance and faith, without desiring
to solve all difficulties about the events of this life.